6 Ways to Stay Hydrated…Hint: Don’t Drink Tap Water

I’m sure you’ve heard how important it is to drink enough water. The question is though, what kind of water should we be drinking? We are becoming chronically hydrated and the answer isn’t to simply “drink more water”. In order to get your body hydrated, you need to start thinking “quality” over “quantity”. The water running out of your tap does not have enough minerals to give your body what it needs. It’s ultimately dead water that will make you feel, well…dead. Our water is dead, our soil is dead…but there are ways to bring life back into your body. There are lots of little tricks you can do to get your hydration levels up, here are some of the best ways:

1. Drink spring water

You can get a bottle of spring water from the grocery store for around 1$ – 1.50. Not only is this water free of life leaching chemicals like chlorine, it’s high in life giving minerals like magnesium and calcium. Depending on what kind of water you get, there can be all kinds of trace minerals in there that your body is just aching for.

2. Coconut water

You’ve all heard of coconut water by now. So what’s the big deal?? Well, coconut water is high in minerals especially potassium, which make it great as a sports drink. Any drink that is high in potassium will replenish your electrolytes in a snap. Try to get the brands with no sugar added.

3. Add a squeeze of lemon

The waiter might roll their eyes when you ask for a lemon wedges with your water, but hey jokes on them because lemon juice turns tap water into a hydrating elixir of the gods. Much like coconut water, lemons replenish electrolytes like no other. Keep some fresh lemons or limes on hand to up your water game.

4. Cucumbers

Eat cucumbers. They have “mineral salts” in them, particularly sodium, which help to keep you hydrated. No surprises here! Cucumbers, as well as celery will boost your electrolytes and provide your body with life-giving water. Take some slices to work with you and munch on them throughout the day.

5. Green Juice

Juice bars are popping up everywhere and for good reason too. Green juice is known to give you energy, why is that? It’s because of, yes you guessed it…minerals! Having a green juice in the morning, especially on an empty stomach is just what your body needs after a long nights sleep. Bonus points if you throw some cucumber and celery as those veggies contain optimal sodium.

6. Herbal tea

The final and most unexpected tip. Did you know that tea actually contains minerals? For example, Nettle Leaf is high in iron and Rooibos is high in potassium. Yet another reason to get on the tea train. Black tea has minerals too, but the caffeine content could cancel the benefits out. Try to get in at least one herbal tea a day, your body will thank you for it.